Clarks Summit University Celebrates Hall of Honor Ceremony

Clarks Summit University inducted new members into the university’s Athletic Hall of Honor on September 30, on CSU’s campus during Homecoming: Alumni and Family Weekend. The 2022 Hall of Honor inductees are Dr. Bill Higley, Ronnie Chastain and the 1991–92 Defender men’s basketball team.

Joining 20 other distinguished members and three teams, the 2022 inductees have achieved significant athletic achievement and demonstrated exemplary character.

Higley, a 1984 alumnus of CSU, became Defender softball coach in 2002. He retired in 2019 with 240 wins. He was named conference Coach of the Year twice. The first time was in 2005 as he led the Lady Defenders to their first 20-win season and a spot in the North Eastern Atlantic Conference Championship. Higley’s impact goes beyond the field as he modeled godly character and positively impacted his players. Higley currently serves as CSU’s vice president for academics and has returned to the diamond as head softball coach for the 2022–23 season.

Ronnie Chastain, a Clarks Summit resident, has served as CSU’s head athletic trainer since 2004. He has played a major role in the success of Defender athletics. With a reputation for excellence in his field, Chastain often has students from other universities shadow him during their athletic training practicum. “Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who give care from prevention to workouts to on-the-field/court emergency and daily care as injuries and incidents happen. We follow through with post-injury treatments, rehabilitation, and we team closely with coaches, doctors and PTs to modify activities and return players to full activity.” Chastain said of the honor, “It was a very pleasant surprise and encouraging to be recognized. I consider it a calling, and I love helping athletes, mentoring young professionals and working with the Athletics Department team.”

The 1991–92 men’s basketball team was also inducted into CSU’s Hall of Honor. The team won the Division II National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship in 1992.  With CSU Athletic Hall of Honor member Russ Howard at the helm, the Defenders finished the season with a 20–7 record and three All-Conference Awards. Howard was named Coach of the Year. Derek Mosher led the team in scoring, averaging 22.6 points per game. Mosher finished the season with 610 total points and earned the NCCAA II Maravich Award. Sharing the First-Team All-Conference title with Mosher, Robbie Stearns had 182 assists and 549 total points. Point guard and coaching legend Mike Show led in three-point field goal percentage with 41.7 percent; he amassed 327 points his final year as a player.

Show, a Clarks Summit resident, has been active in the community, leading basketball camps and clinics. He was inducted into CSU’s Hall of Honor in 2006. This year, Show was promoted to CSU’s director of athletics.

“It was truly a great team,” said Show of the 1992 squad. “Looking at each of us individually, I don’t know that anyone thought we were championship material. But together, we made an incredible team. Coach Howard did a great job putting us together. He played to our strengths. The thing about that team is that we didn’t care who scored or who got the credit as long as we got the win. We supported and cared for each other, and the team was really cohesive. We had great unity. It was a great group of guys.” The 1992 team included Steve Barton, Dan Brown, Dean Bult, Mark Erikson, Scott Flatt, Paul Gruet, Mark Moody, Derek Mosher, Keith Overholt, Dave Pirrie, Mike Show, Ken Shupp, Rob Stearns, Chris Storr and Oliver Yasay. Russ Howard was head coach with assistants Randy Carman and Doug Loescher.

The Clarks Summit University Athletic Hall of Honor was established in 2006 to recognize athletes, coaches, staff and athletic supporters who have made a lasting impression on the Defender Athletics program. Twelve Clarks Summit University teams compete in NCAA Division III’s Colonial States Athletic Conference.